Uganda Adoption Program

Uganda is a pilot program.  Prospective adoptive parents should come prepared with lots of patience and a spirit of adventure.

Uganda, often called "The Pearl of Africa", is a landlocked country in Eastern Africa.  Uganda boasts beautiful scenery and wildlife, along with people who are genuinely warm and welcoming to visitors.

Uganda was traditionally a land of tribes of hunters and gatherers.  Like many African nations, Uganda was colonized by Europeans in the 18th and 19th centuries, but regained it's independence in the 1960s.  After a brief period of economic resurgence, Uganda suffered under dictatorships, war, and economic instability for several decades, leaving it one of the poorest countries in the world.

Since 2008 Uganda has been experiencing dramatic economic and social growth, but there is still along way to go.  The population of Uganda has been one of the hardest hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with up to 30% of adults currently affected.  There are currently just over 3 million orphans in Uganda.

Uganda began allowing adoptions by foreign parents in 2000, but on a very limited basis.  In 2010, 62 Ugandan children were adopted by US Parents.  This program has been extremely limited due to a law mandating adoptive parents must meet a three year residency requirement to adopt a child.  Recently, the Ugandan courts have been allowing parents to receive guardianship in Uganda, and complete their adoption in the US., this change in policy allows the child to return to the U.S. with their adoptive parents and significantly reduces the time spent in country for adoptive parents.

Uganda is not party to the Hague Convention.

Children in Need

Children in Uganda available for adoption have been orphaned by poverty or disease, or are relinquished by parents who are too sick to care for them. All children must be found eligible to be adopted under US law.

Age

Children ages six months to 14 years are eligible for adoption.

Gender

Both boys and girls are available.  Parents are encouraged to be open to either gender.

Health

The majority of the children are healthy or have minor, correctable medical conditions.  Malnutrition is common.

Adoptive Parent Requirements

Marital Status

Both single parents and married couples may adopt.  Single parents must adopt a child of the same gender.  Married couples must adopt jointly.  There are no restrictions on length of marriage or previous divorces.

Age

Prospective Adoptive Parents must be at least 25 years old, and at least 21 years older than the child they wish to adopt.

Income

Families must meet the minimum US requirements for adoption as set forth by USCIS.  Uganda has no set income level, but families must demonstrate financial security in their home study.

Children in the Home

There are no restrictions on the number of children currently in the home.

Other

Parents must be in good health, which must be addressed in the home study. Adoptive Parents must have a completely clear criminal record.